Critical and decolonial theories have long been mutually suspicious of one another. On the one hand, and rightly so, decolonial theories highlight the Eurocentric dimensions of hegemonic academic philosophy in general, and of critical theory in particular, questioning the alleged universalism that has inhabited critical philosophy from Hegel and Marx to the present day. On the other, and also not without reason, representatives of critical theory often express fear of abandoning the universal altogether and endorsing the particular unequivocally, concerned with the theoretical and political fragmentation that may ensue.

Recently, however, there is a growing interest in thematizing the possible connections between critical theory and conceptual paradigms based on the critique of colonialism (not only de- and postcolonial theories, but also subaltern, peripheral or marginal studies, epistemologies of the South, among others). The reversal of historical structures of domination is certainly a common horizon to both strands, but much is yet to be done to enable a cross-fertilization between these traditions, themselves highly diverse and internally differentiated.

The Special Issue on “Decolonial and Critical Theory” aims to contribute to the advancement of this cooperation and invites the submission of articles and reviews of texts that reflect on this dialogue – or lack thereof – in the areas of philosophy, politics, history, aesthetics, epistemology, education, sociology, among others.

Some possible topics:

Convergences and divergences between critical theory and de-/postcolonial theories

Critical theory on the periphery(ies): reception, criticisms, and dialogues

Critical theory in/from/about Brazil and Latin America

Post- and decolonial theories: tensions between the particular and the universal

Critical theory, race, and intersectionality

Critical theory, history, progress, and global justice

What does it mean to “decolonize” critical theory today?

What do post- and decolonial theories have to learn from critical theory?

What does critical theory have to learn from post- and decolonial theories?

Deadline for submissions: December 31st 2019

Submissions in English, Spanish and Portuguese are welcome. For further information check:https://www.ifch.unicamp.br/…/…/teoriacritica/4-1-decolonial or contact us via e-mail: revteoriacritica@gmail.com

Jeremiah Morelock, PhD is an Adjunct Instructor of Sociology at Boston College. He is also the Director of the Critical Theory Research Network. His research focuses on political themes in biological horror and science fiction films. He is editor of Critical Theory and Authoritarian Populism (University of Westminster, 2018).